'We have to speak up about injustice': Retired Judge Denise Hartsfield visits Forsyth high schoolers

Retired Forsyth County Judge Denise Hartsfield visited a local high school Friday morning to talk to students about their legal rights. 

The presentation was part of a “Know Your Rights” pro-bono project through Wake Forest University’s law school. 

Hartsfield and a group of law students spoke to East Forsyth high schoolers about their rights in a variety of situations. Like if a school administrator wants to search their backpack, or if they’re being questioned by a police officer. 

A lot of the advice referenced the Fifth Amendment — the right to remain silent. But when the high schoolers turned the conversation to recent policy changes that allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, Hartsfield reminded them about the First Amendment.  

“Silence isn't going to work. We have to speak up about things that we see are wrong," she said. "We have to speak up about injustice. We have to speak up about things that we know are not going along with what we believe, and what we've learned America is supposed to provide to people.”

Presenters said students could talk to their school administration about policies regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on campus, and advocate for any changes they’d like to see.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.